“I’m learning.”

  “Let me do turnabout. How do you feel about killing Bobby?”

  “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

  I had to smile. “Considering how hard he was kicking me, I’m glad you took care of him. My side and neck are sore, but my headache drowns them out.”

  “Do you need another pain pill?”

  “Let’s see how it goes. Pain is a reminder to be more careful. I shouldn’t have put myself in a position for the head-butt. Do you reckon Preeja’s up?”

  “What you’re asking is do I ‘reckon’ she has the leftovers warmed. Let’s go see.”

  We were able to get everything with one load. Leaving the cabins for the last time, I was surprised to find Preeja in tears.

  “What’s wrong, Preeja?”

  “It is the sad we leave behind our time with Bella and John. It is the happy life lived, our time in the cabins built by you and my family. So close have Vikas and I become, our love has deepened here in the trees.”

  I gazed at the two rough buildings and for a moment, I felt an urge to cry. “Yeah, I’ll miss being here to, but I’m willing to bet hot baths and central heat and air will have its say.”

  “I am glad we move, but it is as you said, we will miss here.”

  Jules and Maggie led the way on their ATV. Thank god, Vikas drove the tractor. My head couldn’t have handled the noise of its engine. Preeja drove the van. Abby drove one of the pickup trucks and I rode shotgun with Annette in another.

  Passing where the incident happened with the Ellison boys, I saw no sign of Bobby’s body. Annette noticed me looking for it.

  “Vikas and Jules used your ATV to drag him into the woods so we wouldn’t have to see him with every load.”

  “Yeah, but it would’ve been fun to watch the buzzards eat him.”

  “I call bull,” Annette said. “I’ve figured you out. You say that outlandish crap to keep up your tough act.”

  “Oh, now I’m an act?”

  “No, you’re tough as nails, but you’re so tiny I think you feel the need to always prove it.”

  I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. I had turned to speak to her. For a moment, her attention wasn’t on the road. Turning her attention back, she saw that the tractor had slowed to make a turn onto the road leading to the drive for the ranch. She braked hard and damn if the same temple doesn’t hit the windshield.

  I didn’t get the bright light, but dog gone that spot was tender.

  Annette witnessed the impact and my yelp. “Jesus H Christ, not your head again? Are you all right?”

  The blow did start my head throbbing, but messing with her, letting my head hang, I mumbled inarticulate words.

  “Oh Jesus, Tempest, speak to me!”

  I straightened and laughed, “Yeah, I’m okay, but I’ve got another headache. When I find a helmet, I’m going to walk, ride and sleep wearing it.”

  Annette wasn’t amused. “Christ, I’d love to punch you right now. Your sense of humor is underwhelming and used at inappropriate times.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No you’re not. You still think it was funny.”

  “You're right.” I pointed through the windshield, “Turn for the ranch coming. Try not to kill me when you brake.”

  On purpose, Annette tapped the brakes hard enough to make me have to brace against the dashboard. “Keep it up, smartass.”

  Nearing the ranch house, Annette veered onto the drive leading to the bunkhouse. “I told them you wouldn’t want to live in the main house. I’m staying in the bunkhouse as well.”

  “Maybe I don’t want—.”

  Annette cut me short. “Don’t go there. You’ll have the ranch foreman’s quarters all to yourself.”

  “Why are we going there now?”

  “I’m dropping you off. You’re in no condition to work. The first-aid kit and some other supplies are there. Take a vicodin and rest. There’re enough of us to handle the unloading. Have an MRE if you get hungry. That’s what we’re having for lunch. I’ll come pick you up for supper.”

  “Thank you, mommy, can I have ice cream if I’m good?”

  Annette said, “I’d love some ice cream; fudge ripple.”

  I countered with, “Vanilla with butterscotch topping.”

  She pulled to a stop at a section of porch adjacent to the entrance door, sighed and said, “Lord, don’t we wish.”

  I smiled at her and said, “I’ll let you in on a secret. Among the boxes of supplies, you’ll find two small boxes with white tape covering part of the top. I don’t know why Billy covered the labels, but they have freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches in em. One’s a partial. Chocolate wafers with vanilla ice cream.”

  Annette shook her head, “Yeah, they’ll be right next to the cans of dehydrated water. I’m not falling for that.”

  “It’s not a joke. Of course, they won’t be cold, but they’re crunchy, chewy and delicious. Find em and surprise the kids with them for dessert tonight. You’ll be their hero forever.”

  “You’re serious, freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches.”

  “Absolutely. I didn’t believe it either, when Billy told me about em, but that’s the reason there’s a partial box. I love the things.”

  “I’ll look for them, but if this is another of your tricks—.”

  I held up a hand. “Don’t make a threat you can’t follow up on. You may know karate, but I have tricks of my own.”

  Annette said, “You haven’t seen tricks like I have.” She gave my shoulder a friendly push. “Go find your bed and rest. I’ve got work to do.”

  Entering the bunkhouse, I found the layout similar to the gang’s barracks. The door, located on one end, let into an open kitchen with a long table for eating. I counted six chairs to a side, none at head or foot.

  I guessed the dimensions of the building at twenty-four feet by forty. That was the open area. From where I stood, I saw a door on the far end wall and a hallway. I strode down the center aisle between bunks. Just before the end wall was a common area with a large wall-screen and a number of chairs scattered about and three desks against a wall.

  The hallway led to two bathrooms. The door opened to a bedroom with a real bed. I tried the light switch and an overhead came on. The far wall had its own small kitchen with a dorm size fridge, a microwave, toaster oven and a propane cook stove.

  The microwave and toaster had tape to prevent the door from opening. I figured that was because of not enough solar to run em. I opened the refrigerator and found it cold.

  The ranch foreman’s room, now my room, was a rectangle at least sixteen by twelve. My belongings were stacked and piled on the bed and on the dresser and nightstand. Standing at the door, I considered putting them in place, but found myself pushing aside boxes and bags to make room on the bed. Later would be better. Laid down, felt head throbbing, got up, took pill and back on it.

  I slept another day through. Near suppertime, rather than wait for Annette to fetch me, I went to the big house. The ranch house was square with a four-sided steep pyramid roof with dormer windows. Those windows and the downstairs ones had sturdy hinged shutters. The wide covered-porch wrapped completely around it.

  I went around the two pickups and the van parked in front of the house and noted that they were unloaded. Mounting the steps, I saw several islands of wicker furnishings spaced along the porch. I turned to survey the front yard. Front and sides, there was a downhill-sloping expanse for at least an eighth-mile. The lay of the land suggested that the house sat on a low hill and that the rear would have the same slight slope.

  Billy often described the dream fortress he wanted to build. He wanted it situated on a hill with clear space all around it in order to have the advantage of height in a firefight. I wondered if the previous owner had that in mind when he selected his building site.

  All of the property surrounding the house was fenced to divide it into sections. I assumed that was so the rancher could alternate grazing, as most of them had steel-pipe circular hay stations and watering troughs.

  Going to the door, I heard no one talking, heard no noise at all. I almost rang the doorbell, again remembered there was not electric for it. Rather than knock, I opened it and went inside. With the obscuring door closed behind me, I heard the faint sound of voices.

  I followed my ears through the huge living room, dining room and found everyone except the children gathered in the kitchen. Preeja and Abbey were working at the kitchen counter, Annette and Abbey stood near the back door discussing something.

  Jules and Vikas were at a table with coffee mugs in front of them. I sat with them and asked, “Where are Sunia and Sunil?”

  Jules started to answer, but Maggie noticed my arrival.

  “There she is. How are you Tempest? Annette told us you suffered another blow to your head.”

  “I have a dull throb going, but I’m not seeing double or dizzy. I reckon I’ll live.”

  “Coffee?” She offered.

  “Sure, I’ll take a cup. Black if you will.”

  Jules delivered a late but surprising answer. “Sunil and Sania are upstairs with Vance and Justine, Abby’s children.”

  “I didn’t know there were children. Where were they when you came—?”

  “Jules cut me short. “ We left them in our panic room with my son in law Jeffry, Abby’s husband. That’s Jeffry spelled ‘J e f f r y’”

  It wasn’t a deal breaker, but I wondered why they hadn’t already disclosed the presence of more family members. “I didn’t know you had a son-in-law here either. How old are the children?”

  Jules presented me a huge smile. “I can tell the news of them has caught you by surprise. Imagine our surprise when they showed up only hours after you left the other day. It was a dream that came true. They were in Nashville when the EMP hit. The children are… Abby, how old are they? I know one of them just had a birthday.”

  “Vance is twelve and Justine is fourteen.”

  Jules continued, “They were there taking part in a spelunking adventure sponsored by the park service.”

  “Wow, it took them a long time to get here.”

  Jules nodded, “They were both lucky and unlucky. They weren’t in Nashville when the EMP hit. It took the group two days to hike from the caves they were exploring back to the city. As you can imagine, by then then the city was in chaos, looting, criminals fleecing those who had food, criminals doing unspeakable acts.

  “It’s a long tale of horror, but they finally made it out of the plague ravaged city. A few days ago, Jeffry stumbled upon a running vehicle in the garage of a vacant home. Even so, it took them two days to navigate the perilous roads, but thank the Lord above, they’re here.”

  That explained their presence. “It’s good that they managed not to catch the plague and got here okay.”

  Jules grimaced and said, “They didn’t arrive unscathed. He was smart enough not to go near Jackson, took the exit that led to Lexington. He stopped outside of the town to plot a course around it and that’s when men tried to take the car from him. Jeffry suffered a gunshot wound in his calf. Justine, poor girl, lost a finger. That’s why we left them behind when we came yesterday. He’s in a lot of pain and has a bad limp.”

  I'd hate to lose a finger. I asked, “Jeffry and Justine are healing okay?”

  “After the amount of doctoring and fussing over them by Maggie, Abbey and Annette, I’m sure they will.”

  “That’s good. Will you have enough room for everyone?”

  “Oh, it has more than enough. This house has seven bedrooms and five full baths, six if you count the one at the pool.”

  “There’s a swimming pool?”

  “Yes, behind the house. It’s not Olympic size, but it’s big.”

  We’d fallen into heaven.

  Maggie said, “Jules, supper will be ready in a few minutes. Would you let Jeffry and the children know?”

  Jules stood. “I’ll be glad when we get electricity for the intercom.” He smiled at me and said, “This house is so big that shouts can’t carry to all parts.”

  Supper was a fun time, made that way because I could feel the joy at the table. Jeffry was handsome. I learned he was thirty-nine and was recently retired from the marines. He looked it, all muscles and ligaments wherever skin showed. Even his face was muscled, maybe from all the shouting marines do.

  I could tell that the children had paired, Sunil with Vance, and Sunia with Justine. Feeling the love and camaraderie at the table made me realize what I’d missed in life. This was how people should be. I hoped it wasn’t all an illusion, that it would remain that way.

  I received a toast. Jules, in the middle of a conversation about how near spring was, stopped talking and said, “Wait a moment. We’re forgetting something. Everyone raise an imaginary glass to our benefactor to whom we owe this wonderful meal. Tempest thank you for your generosity in sharing.” Then in a low voice, “I mean that. Thank you… now everyone, up with your hands to Tempest.

  They all cheered and whooped. I know my face turned red.

  When the meal was finished, everyone cleared the table, stacking their plates on the counters. After that, Maggie shooed the children from the dining room.

  “I’m putting water to warm for coffee and tea. When we have electricity we’ll have drip, but instant coffee will do for our meeting.

  Jules said, “I’ll fetch legal pads.”

  I remained seated, my mind filled with the thought, “A meeting I’m not in charge of. Thank God, the pressure’s off. Real grownups are in charge… normal ones.

  After everyone took bathroom breaks and in general walked around to stretch and settle the meal, the meeting began, Jules opened it up.

  “We have a great deal to discuss, but we’ll need to haul water for the kitchen and baths before the sun goes down. I doubt we’ll cover everything tonight. I am of the opinion that gaining an electric supply is our main object; power for the refrigerators and for the well pump. We used over seventy-five gallons today. That’s water we not only have to haul, but also physically pour to flush a toilet.”

  Abby disagreed on his priority. “I believe procuring more supplies should be first on our agenda. If not for the food brought here, we’d be starving right now. But as much as our new friends brought with them, Preeja and I estimate we have only a week of supplies on hand.”

  “That’s a dour predicament,” Jeffry said, “Food first. We can’t work on empty stomachs.”

  I decided to speak. “Tomorrow morning we can get a start on both of those problems. I’m sure there’s a cattle trailer here. I know where we can get around twenty head right away. While we’re out, I know of a few houses where the owners are either dead or not there. One or more of them will have an emergency generator. That will do us for the short term.”

  “Good thinking,” Jules said.

  Maggie said, “Cattle will supply beef, but what about other essentials? We need flour, cornmeal, oil, vegetables, everything.”

  I sat expectant, waiting for suggestions. None came. Uh oh, there it was again, all eyes on me. Abby actually said, “Tempest,” to prompt me.

  “Er… Okay, look, grocery stores and such are out.”

  Jules asked, “Why? Don’t you think the plague has run its course by now?”

  I started to spit out an emphatic, ‘No’, but Jeffry beat me to it.

  “This plague isn’t one to play around with. There is nothing on God’s earth that could lure me into a facility where people died from it.”

  Annette supplied a great suggestion. “Okay, grocery stores are out. I would imagine most supply depots are out as well for the same reason, but what about the middle part, the trucks that deliver food to the stores. Surely there are some still fully loaded.”

  Jeffry said, “There’s a good chance we would find one stranded on a freeway or in a rest area or truck stop, but I wouldn’t fancy driving the freeways without an armored vehicle.”

  “How about a dump truck,” Jules asked. “We have one, an old one that will crank.”

  Jeffry took a moment to think. “The metal on the bed is thick enough. Cut a few ports to fire through. If we had a welder, we could add armor plates to the cab. Just leave a viewport for the driver… shield the radiator in some way.”

  Jules was on the ball, “The county-works in Selmer has pull-behind diesel powered welders. We’ll need to locate steel plates for the job.”

  I supplied, “There’s a salvage yard not too far away where we can get thick metal.”

  Jeffry brought us down to a real pace. “Okay, an armored dump truck is workable, but that’s a project that will involve many days of work and quite a bit of risk. Let’s put that on the backburner and come up with an easier, faster means of procuring supplies.”

  Annette furnished another great idea. “Is there a place around here that provides condiments to the poor? I volunteered several times to help with passing them out. The food was in a National Guard Post, tons of it.”

  “The same as in Henderson,” I said. “They hand it out at the National Guard.”

  Jules, furiously scribbling on a yellow legal pad, lifted his pen, “Okay, plan for tomorrow, find a generator, check out the Guard Post and round up cattle. I hope that the Guard Post solves our immediate food shortage. Those projects will resolve our most pressing needs. Let’s move on to long term needs. I’ll throw one on the table. Seed, both for garden vegetables and for animal forage; I have found none on the property.”

  “Vacant farms should provide those,” I said.

  Annette said, “Add medical supplies to the list. Tempest possesses a great kit, but that’s all it is. We’ll need to lay in everything we can find.”

  Jeffry noticed Annette’s contributions. “You’re Johnny on the spot. Put meds and equipment on the list.”

  Annette laughed and said, “Annette on the spot, but thanks.”

  Maggie said, “Don’t let us run out of propane. That would be a catastrophe.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11